Beatrix Potter Backstamps

The Beswick and Royal Albert Backstamps used on Beatrix Potter Figures have changed many times since 1948 and they can be useful to aid in dating a particular piece. The figures did not retain their original mark but as backstamps changed all figures in current production were marked with the new backstamp. Broadly speaking there are three styles of backstamp Beswick Gold, Beswick Brown and Royal Albert. However the backstamps are a little more complex than this.

Here is a brief explanation of the different Beswick and Royal Albert Backstamps:

Beswick Gold

BP1bBeswick Gold Parallel Lines *Beswick* and *England* written in parallel lines – the word *Copyright* is in script – designed to fit on to the base of *The Tailor of Gloucester* but in fact used in error on seven other figures –Issued 1949-1954

BP2b Transitional Gold/Brown – *Beatrix Potter* and the Character’s name appear in gold and the last 3 lines – (i.e. F. Warne and Co. Ltd: Copyright (date): BESWICK ENGLAND:) appear in brown. These were on a very limited number of figures Issued 1971 – 1972

Beswick Brown

BP3 Beswick Brown Line– The words *Beswick* and *England* appear in brown either in a straight line or with *Beswick* atop *England* depending on the shape and size of the base –Issued 1973 – 1988

BP4 Beswick Signature – At this time the Beswick backstamp was replaced by the Royal Doulton backstamp. However the Beswick connection was sustained by the inclusion of the John Beswick signature on the backstamp

BP6b – Large Brown Crown – This was issued in 1993 and was used on ten figurines.

line Lay-out – as BP6a above

BP7 Beswick Brown Oval – This Backstamp was issued to commemorate the 100th Anniversary of Peter Rabbit – 1893 – 1993 and was only used on the Large Size Peter Rabbit

Issued 1993

BP8 Beswick Ware Brown Script – *Beswick Ware England* or *Beswick Ware Made in England* is the earliest printed backstamp of the W. Beswick, Baltimore Works, Longton, and it was for the Beswick Centenary that the Beswick Ware logo was reinstated as the primary backstamp of the John Beswick Studio of Royal Doulton

Issued 1994 to 1998

BP8a – General Backstamp – Issued for a very short period of time in 1998, the brown script may turn out to be the rarest of the Beatrix Potter backstamps as it is only found on 2 figures.

BP8b – 50th Anniversary of Beatrix Potter Figures at Beswick – Issued in 1997 for the 50th Anniversary of Beatrix Potter Figurine production at the John Beswick Studios on Longton in 1997.

BP8c – Limited Edition Backstamp – This backstam is a modification of BP8a and it was designed for use on limited edition figurines.

BP9a – 100th Anniversary of John Beswick Studios – This backstamp was issued in 1994 to commemorate the 100th Anniversary of the founding of the Beswick studios. It was only available on Jemima Puddle-Duck.

BP9b – General Backstamp – This Gold Beswick Ware backstamp was used between 1997 and 1998 on small sized figures issued with gold accents

BP9c – Limited Edition Backstamp – This is a modified BP9b and appears on large sized figurines which were issued by Lawleys between 1997 and 2000.

BP9d – Peter Rabbit and Friends Limited Editions – This is also a modification of the BP9b backstamp and was used on limited edition figures with gold accents which were issued by Peter Rabbit and Friends,

BP10 Beswick Black Crest – The Beswick backstamp was redesigned in 1998 and the Beswick crest which had first been seen in 1968 was re-introduced for the Beswick line of Storybook figurines. Issued 1998

BP10a – General Backstamp Issue – This backstamp was used on 27 Figurines.

BP10b – Beswick Black Arch – A modification was necessary as there was a restriction on the base of some figurines. This backstamp was used on 14 figures.

BP10c – Beswick Black Circle – This is also a modified version of BP10a because of base restriction and was used on 8 figures.

BP10d – Peter Rabbit and Friends LimitedEditions – This backstamp is a gold version of BP10a and was used on the limited edition figurine Sweet Peter Rabbit which was commissioned by Peter Rabbit and Friends.

BP11 John Beswick Signature – From 2001 both the standard range figures and the limited/special edition figures carry a ‘John Beswick’ signature instead of the word ‘Beswick’. The Doulton *P* number for each figure is also included for all limited/special edition figures from 2001 and standard range from 2002.

BP11a – General Backstamp Issue – This backstamp was used on 9 figurines. Satin Glaze was also used on another six figurines. These six also have the words ‘SATIN FINISH’ arranged in a circle on a paper sticker.

BP11b Limited/ Special EditionBackstamp – This was used on the limited edition figures: